How Non-Tech Companies Use AI Right Now

In 2008, long before the AI boom, Coca-Cola introduced their fountain drink dispenser, Coca-Cola Freestyle, as a way to allow customers to experiment with about 100 different flavors and beverages that were listed on the interactive touch display. This innovation move allowed the company to compile useful data on customer preferences and information leading to the launch of the Cherry Sprite drink, one of Coca-Cola’s most successful flavors. This is an example of the many ways that non-tech companies can use AI to analyze customer behavior and improve their services using that data.

With the mainstream success that AI has had in the past couple of years, it is not surprising to hear that millions of  tech companies of all sizes all over the world are using the technology in one way or the other. From fully automated and personalized customer service centers to advanced algorithms that analyze and monitor a customer’s patterns and behaviors, AI is being used by these companies in so many different ways. AI being actively used in tech companies is somewhat expected but non-tech companies are also embracing the efficiency that AI brings.

According to a Forbes Advisor survey, 64% of businesses expect AI to increase their overall productivity and these businesses are incorporating AI into their daily operations so that they can reap these benefits. For these non-tech companies, AI offers many benefits, data driven decision making processes powered by algorithms and ML, a more streamlined and personalized customer service experience for customers, and an improved and more efficient environment for day to day operations. For many companies outside the tech industry, it is hard to imagine another technology that can have such a dramatic positive impact on their productivity.

The advantages of using AI technology cuts across industries. In healthcare, hospitals and healthcare providers are using AI to schedule appointments, automate the diagnosis and billing process as well as monitor and treat patients. AI is also being used in Education to personalize study plans for students as needed, teach children with learning disabilities like dyslexia and autism, and automate administrative tasks. 

The technology helps professionals in the finance industry to prevent fraudulent transactions and make better, data-driven decisions while helping to improve quality control and prevent safety issues for people in the manufacturing industry. Farmers are also using AI to monitor every stage of their farm’s growth and monitor their soil health. Here are 5 non-tech companies that are using AI to improve their business models.

The world’s largest company by revenue, Walmart is widely known for its chain of stores all over the United States, and as the largest private employer in the world with over 2 million employees. Every day, over 37 million customers are served by Walmart making it difficult for goods and services to be targeted at each customer specifically. The size of the company also makes it difficult to solve specific problems like in-store waste management, slow customer service and quality management. The company is turning to AI to help with this.

In 2019, Walmart launched their world class Intelligent Retail Lab (IRL), a shopping center outfitted with all the luxuries that AI has to offer. The store comes equipped with artificial intelligence-enabled cameras, interactive displays and intricate processors that allow the IRL team to use real-time information to work efficiently. This includes knowing when to restock products, making sure shopping carts and registers are always available, and interacting with customers intuitively. 

Apart from IRL, Walmart is also using artificial intelligence to reduce food waste by using the technology to advise associates on when produce is going bad and how to avoid waste either through a price change or sending the product back to the vendor.

Coca-Cola is probably the most recognizable soft drink brand in the world with a global brand value of over $98 billion. The beverage company has also continuously ranked as one of the world’s most valuable brands alongside tech giants like Google, Apple, Microsoft and Amazon. Like any other large company, Coca-Cola is constantly looking for ways to gain an advantage in their marketplace which is where AI comes in.

Earlier this year, Coca-Cola and Microsoft announced a five yesr partnership that would allow Coca-Cola to integrate AI into their various business functions. Through the use of Microsoft’s CoPilot and Azure OpenAI Services, Coca-Cola will be reimagining everything from supply chain to manufacturing. The beverage company has already started incorporating AI into their marketing strategy with the release of Coca-Cola Y3000 Zero Sugar. The new flavor was co-created with AI and reflects what Coca-Cola fans imagine the future would taste like. 

The company also developed CreateRealMagic.com, a generative AI model that combines the capabilities of ChatGPT and DALL-E to help users create original artwork using iconic creative assets from the Coca-Cola archives.

Throughout the years, fashion has always been inspired by technology and AI is no different. From AI generated prints during New York Fashion Week’s Fall 2024 season to entire collections designed by AI, the industry is wholeheartedly embracing the technology. Last year, an AI Fashion Week competition was launched with a judging panel of industry experts including Vogue Japan’s Head of editorial content, Tiffany Godoy, and Erika Wykes-Sneyd of Adidas Studio Web3.

Founded in 1913 in Italy by two brothers, Prada is now one of the most recognized luxury fashion brands in the world. The fashion house is primarily known for their leather handbags, shoes and other fashion accessories. After the pandemic Prada, like many other fashion brands, realized the need to embrace technology at a time when most consumers were shopping online. The company is now turning to AI to help solve some of their problems including experimenting with generative AI for consumers and using the technology for their marketing efforts. 

Last year, Prada used AI for  their fragrance campaigns, using the technology to reinterpret five of their best selling fragrances.

The automobile manufacturing industry has consistently embraced new technologies. With AI, the automotive industry is able to supply the demand for smart vehicles and self-driving cars. It is projected that by 2027, the compounding annual growth rate will have reached $15 billion in the automotive industry. Apart from car manufacturing, automotive industries are also using AI to streamline their supply chain, market to their customers, and predict the long term usability of their vehicles.

Toyota is one of the automobile companies integrating AI into almost every aspect of their manufacturing process. In 2015, the automobile giant established their Toyota Research Institute to “develop active vehicle safety and automated driving technologies, robotics, and other human amplification technology.” Through research done at the Toyota Research Institute, Toyota has developed safe self-driving robotaxis with both high autonomy and high driver engagement as well as its Driving Sensai tool. With Driving Sensai, users can use AI to learn driving through AI-driven instructions and AI-powered driver support.

Although Domino’s is widely known as a pizza place, a large part of the company’s business model involves online transactions and transportation. Since the pandemic and the emergence of online shopping, most fast food restaurant chains have had to pivot their business model to cater to online buyers. This year, consumers are projected to spend more than $16 billion on pizza delivery in the US alone meaning that a huge chunk of revenue  for these businesses is online.

To solve this problem, Domino’s recently teamed up with Microsoft leveraging Microsoft’s AI technologies to enhance the company’s online ordering and delivery system. Domino’s has already developed a generative AI assistant using Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service that helps store managers to save time on tasks like ingredient ordering, staff scheduling and inventory management. Using AI powered by Azure OpenAI Service, Domino’s also intends to create a better, more personalized customer experience. In fact, the pizza company is already using AI to predict when customers will order pizzas.

AI is changing the way that both tech and non-tech companies operate and do business. With the use of artificial intelligence, non-tech companies are streamlining their production and operation processes, gaining insights into their customers’ preferences and opinions, and using this data to personalize and improve customer satisfaction. The addition of AI to different industries has allowed professionals to automate mundane tasks, compensate for labor shortages and reduce the cost of doing business. This translates to happier customers and more efficient companies.